The second my nose connected with a softball my dad thought that was the end of this sport. My mom thought after spending six hours in a hospital waiting on concussion results was the end of this sport too. No. From the time I was four I was actively playing and trying to improve upon my skills so I could one day play on the USA Olympic softball team. Of course that was a child’s dream, but to play in college was my new and more realistic dream. I knew the sacrifices I would be forced to make but I was more than willing to accept the challenge. I learned on this journey that academics were just a mere obstacle. With the hope to play softball competitively in college, I pushed myself and put all my effort into excelling in my academic studies.
At a young age, my parents reminded me to do my homework but threatened me with the option to play softball. With the thought of not playing softball, I instantly began and maintained a routine of coming home after all my school activities and getting right to work on my homework. I knew then that I had many activities I was not willing to give up, softball included. Being able to play softball encouraged me to complete all the necessary tasks to help me succeed in school.
I joined the local town league where I eventually represented my town by playing on the All-Stars team as one of the youngest players ever. At first it was nerve wracking but after the first couple of wins, it turned into continuous fun. Everyone on the roster tried their best to catch a glimpse of the local journalists. Getting your name written in the paper was mostly just for bragging rights though. The papers eventually stopped coming and as the season came to an end everyone started registering for the soccer program. This All Star team was only a team that met over the summer but it introduced me meet some great people that helped me continue my softball career. Because of the people I knew I was offered a spot on the New Jersey Maddawgs, a travel team that really allowed me to improve my skills as a player. All-Stars was more than an opportunity opener. It showed me I could go beyond my own expectations not only in my athletic ability but my academic ability too. It became evident that I could work as a team member and cooperate with everyone. Because of my summer team, my confidence grew and I became more willing to participate in class. My All-Star team allowed me to come out of my shell and really start showing others who I was and not being afraid to take chances and share my opinions.
Travel ball had a huge impact on my academics and social life. Being a part of the team, I had to go to weekly practices as well as travel to various locations over the course of a weekend. Even after learning time management, I needed to learn how to perfect it. I eventually joined a better team for college recruiting still with full intentions of playing at the collegiate level. This team required a great deal of commitment to both the team and to my academics. Softball took a lot of my time outside of school but during school I reached out to teachers for extra help, asked questions, and payed attention during all my classes. Joining a more serious team required more time and practice. It also meant traveling not just too different places in New Jersey but all over the east coast. This team taught me to commit and to follow through with any project I start.
Softball has given me certain athletic talents as well as the ability to work as a team member and a team captain. My freshmen year of high school I tried out for the school softball team and made the varsity squad. I kept my hopes up by working hard on and off the field eventually rewarding me with a starting varsity position halfway through the season. By my junior year I was nominated a captain’s position. I was instructed to lead the team in the games, during practices, and during school. During school hours I was supposed to be a role model for the younger players. That entailed doing homework, going to classes, and maintaining good relationships with both students and teachers. School softball motivated my academic success because I personally knew my team members would not take me seriously if I was not a leader in the classroom as well.
No matter how good my ability was, I needed to be academically represented as well. I was constantly reminded by not only my parents but my coaches and older teammates that grades are just as important as ability when thinking about being recruited. The love I had for this sport reminded me on a daily basis that I must always try my best and do whatever I can to succeed. It has been one of the main reasons I have tried so hard in school. No matter how many times I struck out or got hit with a ball, I never once regretted playing softball. It motivated me to do well in every aspect, on and off the field.
The second my nose connected with a softball my dad thought that was the end of this sport. My mom thought after spending six hours in a hospital waiting on concussion results was the end of this sport too. No. From the time I was four I was actively playing and trying to improve upon my skills so I could one day play on the USA Olympic softball team. Of course that was a child’s dream, but to play in college was my new and more realistic dream. I knew the sacrifices I would be forced to make but I was more than willing to accept the challenge. I learned on this journey that academics were just a mere obstacle. With the hope to play softball competitively in college, I pushed myself and put all my effort into excelling in my academic studies.
At a young age, my parents reminded me to do my homework but threatened me with the option to play softball. With the thought of not playing softball, I instantly began and maintained a routine of coming home after all my school activities and getting right to work on my homework. I knew then that I had many activities I was not willing to give up, softball included. Being able to play softball encouraged me to complete all the necessary tasks to help me succeed in school.
I joined the local town league where I eventually represented my town by playing on the All-Stars team as one of the youngest players ever. At first it was nerve wracking but after the first couple of wins, it turned into continuous fun. Everyone on the roster tried their best to catch a glimpse of the local journalists. Getting your name written in the paper was mostly just for bragging rights though. The papers eventually stopped coming and as the season came to an end everyone started registering for the soccer program. This All Star team was only a team that met over the summer but it introduced me meet some great people that helped me continue my softball career. Because of the people I knew I was offered a spot on the New Jersey Maddawgs, a travel team that really allowed me to improve my skills as a player. All-Stars was more than an opportunity opener. It showed me I could go beyond my own expectations not only in my athletic ability but my academic ability too. It became evident that I could work as a team member and cooperate with everyone. Because of my summer team, my confidence grew and I became more willing to participate in class. My All-Star team allowed me to come out of my shell and really start showing others who I was and not being afraid to take chances and share my opinions.
Travel ball had a huge impact on my academics and social life. Being a part of the team, I had to go to weekly practices as well as travel to various locations over the course of a weekend. Even after learning time management, I needed to learn how to perfect it. I eventually joined a better team for college recruiting still with full intentions of playing at the collegiate level. This team required a great deal of commitment to both the team and to my academics. Softball took a lot of my time outside of school but during school I reached out to teachers for extra help, asked questions, and payed attention during all my classes. Joining a more serious team required more time and practice. It also meant traveling not just too different places in New Jersey but all over the east coast. This team taught me to commit and to follow through with any project I start.
Softball has given me certain athletic talents as well as the ability to work as a team member and a team captain. My freshmen year of high school I tried out for the school softball team and made the varsity squad. I kept my hopes up by working hard on and off the field eventually rewarding me with a starting varsity position halfway through the season. By my junior year I was nominated a captain’s position. I was instructed to lead the team in the games, during practices, and during school. During school hours I was supposed to be a role model for the younger players. That entailed doing homework, going to classes, and maintaining good relationships with both students and teachers. School softball motivated my academic success because I personally knew my team members would not take me seriously if I was not a leader in the classroom as well.
No matter how good my ability was, I needed to be academically represented as well. I was constantly reminded by not only my parents but my coaches and older teammates that grades are just as important as ability when thinking about being recruited. The love I had for this sport reminded me on a daily basis that I must always try my best and do whatever I can to succeed. It has been one of the main reasons I have tried so hard in school. No matter how many times I struck out or got hit with a ball, I never once regretted playing softball. It motivated me to do well in every aspect, on and off the field.